Farm to Plate July 20 Farmer Spotlight

The chickens which will be used By Chef Ed Pickens to prepare the Chicken Caesar Salad were purchased at Rus-Men Farms.

The May 2012 issue of Our Ohio magazine featured Galionís Rus-Men Farms where beef, pork and chicken are raised. The 120-acre farm, in existence since 1830, is run by Russ and Mendy Sellman and their children Jesse, Emely and Elaina. Much of the farmís land is rented out to local neighbors to grow corn, soy and grain. The other part of the land is reserved as a pasture for their Holstein herd, and is home to their pigs and chickens.

The Sellmans have been selling meats for 12 years and are passionate about working with and supporting local businesses. For example, the farmís beef and pork is processed at Links Country Meat, less than 10 miles away in Crestline. The Sellmans also prefer to purchase their feed and seed, equipment and building materials through local merchants, if possible. ďWe think itís our responsibility to seek out local businesses first to keep the economy strong in our area,Ē said Mendy.

Those interested in learning about a nearby business striving to keep aspects of food production local should visit their shop, The Farmers Wife Store, at 710 Iberia Rd, Galion. You can also visit their webpage, rusmenfarms.com, or like them on Facebook at Rus-Men-Farms-Naturally-Raised-Meats to stay informed on daily hours and product availability.

Richland County Farm to Plate is a program that will occur as part of the Farmerís Market in Shelby. A host of partners, supporters and volunteers have joined together to provide this exciting program to link the growers of our local foods with local chefs and with us, the consumer. Cooking demonstrations, featuring items that can be found at the Farmerís Market or through local sources, will occur on six occasions this summer. Taste testing, recipes and starter kits will be available. There will be healthy activities for the kids too. This is a great opportunity to learn about and support our local food economy, and to be newly inspired to eat healthy and to eat fresh. To stay up to date on Farm to Plate "like" the event page on Facebook.